~ Farewell to Me!

Here is my latest Bind-it-All project, a farewell book (for me, actually) that my NAVFAC co-workers from all over the world added their farewell messages in.  Some of the well-wishes were added in person while some were emailed and added to the book.

 

What is really great about creating a project for yourself is that you can make anything you want it to be.  I added little strips inside to show where I have been and when with Naval Facilities Engineering Command.

{Click on each of the photos below for a closer look.}

Supplies:

• Zutter – 1″ brown o-wire
• Clear Scraps – acrylic covers
• My Mind’s Eye – patterned papers, brads
• The Twinery – twine
• Tim Holtz – frame
• Making Memories – acrylic paint
• chipboard, fabric flowers, ribbon

~ Parting Gifts

 

So, this is my last week at my current job.  Far be it for me not to have one last share of my craftiness before I go.  I made candy goody bags for the co-workers in MILCON and special bags with extra stuff for my branch.  I wanted to make use of my latest Fiskars punch in my projects since I wasn’t able to teach a class using it. =(  We have a long-standing “purple Thursday” in MILCON so I had custom buttons made by the awesome Emily Adams.

The bags below are filled with other good stuff are what I’m giving to the ladies in my branch.  There is a prolific amount of lilac and honeydew twine from The Twinery, which I totally love!  The bags were 59 cent gift bags I bought from Target and embellished.

Goody bag supplies:

• flat plastic bags, Dum Dums, Smarties, Kit Kats
• My Mind’s Eye – patterned paper
• The Twinery – twine
• Tim Holtz – mini staples
• Emily Adams – custom buttons

Gift bag supplies:

• Fancy Pants – patterned paper
• The Twinery – twine
• Tim Holtz – tissue tape
• American Crafts – ribbon
• Tim Holtz – mini staples

 

 

~ Team Edward, Team Jacob & Team Emmett

It’s been a while since my last Twilight-themed project.  With the release of Eclipse, I’ve been inspired anew!  {{{Speaking of Eclipse, 11 viewings and counting!}}}  I found out from my visit to Las Vegas that my nieces are also fans of Twilight, a couple of little Edward fans and one Emmett fan.  Here are my latest pieces.  All of the pieces for the Jacob and Emmett necklaces can be found at Michael’s.  I picked up the Edward pieces at a cute little scrapbook store in San Diego called Paper Tales back in April while I was on business travel.  Please leave me a comment if you’ve come by for a visit and tell me whose Team you’re on!

Team Jacob (front & back)

{embellishment detail and a saying my daughter and I picked up from Taylor Lautner’s SNL skit}

 

 Team Emmett (front and back)

 

 

 Team Edward – Sorry about the poor photos of the Edward charms.  The photos are covered with magnifying glass pebbles that are very difficult to photograph!

Stuff:  Jacob & Emmett – Tim Holtz (gears, chain, type charm), Inkssentials (frames, glass), Jolees (beads); Edward – Doodlebug (gems), Paper Tales (frame, glass pebble) 

~ Twilight Saga Team Jasper Necklace

Here is another non- Team Edward/-Team Jacob piece of jewelry to join the Team Paul bracelet  I made around Thanksgiving last year.  This one is for another lady that works at Hot Topic.  My daughter and I went in for a visit to see what was new and she asked if we’d ever seen any Team Jasper items anywhere.  She’s crazy about Jasper.  Well, everyone knows quite well that nothing really exists (unless you make it yourself, of course!) outside Edward or Jacob stuff.  We’ll go by the store this weekend to drop it off. =)

{front of necklace}

{flip side}

All of the items used are readily available at craft stores in the scrapbook section–you just need to look for them!  See the list of supplies at the end of this post.  I resized the pictures from ones I took from the internet.  Check out the rest of my Twilight items by clicking on Twilight in the tag cloud located in the right column of this blog and choosing the specific posts.

{close up of the Doodlebug Jewels set on the outside of the charm frame}

 {close-up of the Cullen Crest charm and beads}

Stuff:  Tim Holtz – ball chain, letter sticker; Inkssentials – Memory Frames, Memory Glass, Glossy Accents; 7 Gypsies – round charm; Jolee’s – crystal beads; jewelry findings

~ Taylor Lautner Bracelet & a Visit to the Marine Corps Museum

 

First, let’s get the bracelet out of the way.  I promised my daughter the bracelet once I had a chance to take photos of it.  If you’re a big Twilight/New Moon Team Jacob fan, this Taylor Lautner bracelet is up your alley.  (Sorry, as with all of my jewelry–not for sale!)  Click on each of the photos for a closer look.

 

Stuff:  7 Gypsies – bracelet, charms; Jolee’s – star charms; Tim Holtz – type charms

===========================================

Last Sunday, Brian decided to do a site visit to see the conditions of the roads and potential widening at MCB Quantico.  So, we did a drive through the base and ended up at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.  I’m glad we stopped to listen to the docent at the Iwo Jima portion.  He was a Marine who lived through Iwo Jima and is now a volunteer telling the story of the men that fought and secured the area.  His name is Frank Matthews.  I wish him many more strong years to come.

There was an exhibit at the front of the museum of Marines who were killed in Iraq in 2005 from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division.  Family members donated their boots for this display.   For more information and to see paintings of the men, click here:  Lima Company Memorial 

~ Latest Twilight/New Moon Bracelets

12/01/09 UPDATE – Click here for PDF file – Directions on how to make a bracelet and necklace.  See my earlier posts for additional photos of the projects included in the file.

 

Here are my latest Twilight Saga bracelets.  All of them have a “Jacob/Wolfpack/Tattoo” feeling about them.  Not to worry, Team Edward fans.  I’ll be back to my old Team Edward tricks once Eclipse rolls around next year.  Let’s just say that 2009 is the year of the wolf (much to my daughter’s delight).  Please take a look at my earlier Twilight jewelry when you get a chance:  (1) Twilight Saga Bracelet, (2) New Moon Poster Necklace, (3) Jacob & Bella bracelet, (4) New Moon-inspired necklace and leave me comments.  

The name of the following bracelet says it all for my daughter.  This one is her favorite because of the Jacob charm.

{Jacob Bracelet}

 

One bracelet in particular is a little different — a “Team Paul” bracelet I made for a really nice lady at our local Hot Topic at Fair Oaks.  She is always so helpful and cheery when we visit.  The last time we went (Wednesday before Thanksgiving) she told me that she was a Team Paul girl.  Knowing that nothing exists outside of Team Edward or Team Jacob merchandise, I decided to make a special bracelet for her on Thanksgiving.  We’ll drop by the mall on Sunday morning to give it to her. =)  The charms are double-sided.

{Team Paul Bracelet}

The New Moon Poster Bracelet is my favorite of the four and the only one that I’m keeping for myself.  I like this simpler style compared to the other three.

{New Moon Poster Bracelet}

 

The last bracelet was made from cannibalizing parts from a Jacob key/bag clip I bought from Hot Topic.  Sure, there is a Jacob bracelet out there ready-made that I could have picked up from FYE but I thought the chain looked a little flimsy.  I like adding my own touches to the projects that wouldn’t otherwise be there if you store-buy only.

{Wolfpack Bracelet}

 

Thanks all who have asked me about my jewelry.  I’m glad you like them BUT I don’t make them for sale.  Sorry!  I’m happy to share supply lists and directions on how to make these.  The photos used on the charms are all available online and can be sized and printed using your own computer and printer.  You can find similar chains and jewelry findings at any of the big box craft stores. 

Stuff:  Tim Holtz – chains and type charms ; Jolee’s – beads; 7 Gypsies – charms; jewelry findings

BIA 12 Days of Christmas – Calendar

I’m the lucky Zister who gets to post her project on Thanksgiving for the eighth day of Christmas! =)  My project is a desktop calendar but any calendar project using the BIA or Zutter products will do.  I’ve included pictures of what the base looks like before assembly along with pictures of the two calendar projects I made for both set of grandparents.  If you’d like to use my calendar JPEGs, click on this link – 2010 Calendar Months – for months showing the U.S. Federal Holidays.  If you’d prefer an editable Excel version, drop me an email and put “2010 Calendar Months” in the subject line.

For more details on this challenge or if you’d like to join the Zutter Zisters Design Team and OZZers, swing by www.zutterzisters.ning.com.  We’ll be giving away prizes for each day featured in our Twelve Days of Christmas Challenge.

 

Stuff:  Zutter – 3/4″ antique brass o-wire, 8″ chipboard covers; SEI – patterned paper, stickers; Tim Holtz – tickets; Bazzill – cardstock; acrylic, ribbon

 

~ 70th Birthday Layout

I’m just finally getting around to posting this layout I did from my father-in-law’s birthday dinner.  I hope to post a few more projects this week to freshen up the old blog.

Stuff:  SEI – patterned paper, cardstock, chipboard embellishments, epoxy stickers; Tim Holtz – tickets

~ Halloween Treats

Stampin’ Up! has cute little containers and a coordinating stamp set to make these cute little treats.  I wish the treat cups were a tad bigger as they don’t hold a lot of candy.  On second thought, maybe that’s a good thing!  The cups are attached to pieces of patterned paper and secured with staples.  These ones are for my son’s 6th grade class.

Stuff – Stampin’ Up! – cardstock, ink, treat cups, stamp; Tim Holtz – tiny staples; K & Company – patterned paper

~ Monja & Casey

I have a bridal shower to go to this weekend and I wanted to give my friend, Monja, something completely different than the usual housewares gifts people usually give at showers.  In addition to the Victoria’s Secret gift card I got her, I made this 8″ x 10″ book with simple patterned paper-covered pages for her to save some of her pre-wedding memories.

 

Stuff:  Zutter Innovative – chipboard covers, 1″ antique brass o-wire; My Mind’s Eye – patterned paper; Stampin’ Up – grosgrain ribbon; Anna Griffin – satin ribbons; Prima -flowers; American Crafts – Thickers; K & Company – Grand Adhesion; Tim Holtz; staples

~ Okay, just one more Cosmo Cricket and BIA project…

 

 

Yeah, my blog break lasted all of less than one day, huh?  Seriously, I’ll be on a blog break for two weeks after today. =)  I wanted to make one last project for my sister-in-law before we board the plane to see my family tomorrow.  I learned an origami-like frame folding technique in the wee hours of this morning and was so antsy to try it out.  Not bad for having figured it out from a few pictures online!  This is the new Early Bird line–nice, bright colors!

 

Stuff:  Cosmo Cricket – patterned paper; Zutter – 1/2″ o-wire; Lil’ Davis Designs – flowers with bling; We R Memory Keepers – extra large eyelets; Tim Holtz – tiny staples; Stampin’ Up! – ribbon

~ Handmade Twilight Saga-New Moon Necklace

I could not resist making a piece of jewelry from the newest Twilight Saga – New Moon “one sheet”.  Too bad I couldn’t do a more vertical piece of jewelry to show more of the poster, but maybe that will be a project for another time–there is always a matching bracelet I could make!  This pendant is 1 1/2″ square.

 

Thanks again to Twilighters Anonymous for posting the “one sheet”.  As was my last piece of Twilight jewelry (click here to see the bracelet I made earlier this year), this is one of a kind.  Sorry folks, I won’t be making any of these to sell.  Leave me a comment or share a link with me if you have a Twilight item you’d like me to check out. =) 

{close-up of the beads and keys}

Stuff –  7 Gypsies – necklace; Inkssentials – Memory Frames, Memory Glass; Jolee’s – beads; Zutter Innovative – mini keys; Adirondack/Tim Holtz – alcohol ink; ribbon and findings

~ Father’s Day Accordian Album

Here is my submission for the Fiskars Crafts Father’s Day Contest.  I made this one for my dear hubby, a wonderful father to our two children. 

I purposely wanted this to look busy and messy by painting over the smooth lines of the photos and around embellishments in a hap-hazard way and randomly adding fabric stickers at angles.   Alas, the album is too “fat” to stick into the little box holder that came with the album.  Not to worry, I’ll use the box for a different project. =)

Click on each picture for a better look.

Stuff:  accordian album – Creative Imaginations; paint – Making Memories, paper collection, epoxy stickers, sticker ribbon – Little Yellow Bicycle; gems – Doodlebug; rub-ons – Daisy D’s; extra large eyelets – We R Memory Keepers; grungeboard – Tim Holtz

P.S. Happy Belated Father’s Day

~ Frame to match the Live Love Laugh Minibook

I was a busy bee!  Here is my second craft for the day–a matching photo frame to go with my Live Love Laugh Minibook that I posted a few days ago.  Both the frame and minibook feature the Cosmo Cricket line – Fleuriste, as well as a lot of alcohol-inking and Fiskars border punches.

Click on each picture for a closer look.

Stuff – frame – DecoArt; patterned paper – Cosmo Cricket; ribbon and ink – Stampin’ Up!; alcohol ink – Tim Holtz/Ranger; gems – Doodlebug

~ Live Laugh Love Minibook

Wow!  Has it really been a week since I last posted?  Bad Lea, bad!  So here is my latest, a 5×7 inch minibook which smacks of Tim Holtz (in a good way, of course!)  I was inspired by Irene’s alcohol-inked leaves.  I alcohol-inked a full 8×10 transparency and used pieces of it throughout the pages.  It has very little in the way of embellishments as the Cosmo Cricket paper, tags and sayings are perfect.  About the only additions are the stamping and Fiskars border punches.

 Click on each picture for a better look!

 

Close-up of the alcohol-inked transparency.

Stuff:  book board – 7 Gypsies; textured cardstock – Bazzill; patterned paper – Cosmo Cricket; alcohol ink, distressing ink and grungeboard – Tim Holtz/Ranger; extra large eyelets – We R Memory Crops; ink and ribbon – Stampin’ Up!; felt flower – Creative Imaginations; transparency

~ 2008 Calendar

I liked doing the 2009 calendar so much that I made another one for the current year.  This one has a very different style than the last one–kind of Tim Holtz “light”.  Still very square but threw in some curves in the way of Grungeboard, flowers and subtle Fiskars embossing corner punches.  

This project, though it is hard to see it in the pictures, is very glimmery. The book board, first layer of paper (glimmer misted, inked, crumpled) and grungeboard have been altered with combinations of Perfect Pearls, alcohol ink and distressing ink.  Scale – the book boards are 6 x 6 inches, the calendar stickers are on a 4 x 4 inch piece of patterned paper, mounted on a 4 1/2 inch piece of cardstock.

Stuff – book board, patterned paper and rings – 7 Gypsies; cardstock and flowers – Bazzill; chipboard – Grafix; alcohol ink, distressing ink, Perfect Pearls, Grungeboard – Tim Holtz/Ranger; calendar stickers – EK Success; crystal brads – Stampin’ Up!  

~ Butterfly Minibook

Here is the project I worked on today – a Tim Holtz-inspired 4″ x 4″ minibook.  I concocted a couple of glimmer mist mixtures using Tim’s recipe and spritzed all of the pages and cover. To tie everything together, I stamped and added Fiskars Oopsie Daisy Squeeze punch flowers.  The finishing touch is the inked and glittered Grungeboard butterfly. 

I am using this project in conjunction with a RAK I will be offering tonight on the SAF Friends chat scheduled for the Scrap-a-Faire Lounge #3 at 8 Eastern tonight.  You’ll have to show up at the chat to find out how to get a Fiskars Fingertip Control Kraft Knife!

Update 10pm – Congratulations to Rozette and Holly.  They both get a RAK mentioned above!  Hooray =) 

  

Stuff:  plain minibook pieces – Lineco; patterned paper and sticker – K & Company, glimmer mist – Perfect Pearls, Distress Ink Reinker and Grungeboard – TIm Holtz/Ranger; ink and buttons – Stampin’ Up!    

P.S. Happy Birthday to my sis-in-law, Karen – April 4!